Final Coordination and Planning MeetingSunday, May 15Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church4936 Brownsboro Rd (map)4:00 -- 6:00There several important projects and plans for Louisville during the week of May 15-22. These include walks, vigils, community art projects and more. By May 15th details of those events and projects will have been announced and this will be a final opportunity to discuss them and various logistics. This meeting will combine those groups and individuals working on these, including Moms Demand Action, Sowers of Justice, Dominican Sisters of Peace, and others. As we draw closer to the NRAs visit in May of 2016 its important to consider how we change the underlying conversation from ”gun rights” and “gun control” to nonviolence, compassion and peace. Please join us!​

The second workshop in this series will build on the foundation of the first. We will revisit the shared vocabulary we created during the first session, adding words if necessary. Participants will be given two prompts for drawing/sketching their stencils. “How do we create a beautiful alternative to the NRA’s messaging?” Or “What message do you want people in these spaces to come away with?” This session will focus on generating ideas and visuals. We will work toward being able to draw and cut stencils that evening (this is dependent on the skill level/experience in the room). The artist will come with some pre-designed stencils for people to begin cutting as well.

Making a Killing: Guns Greed and the NRAJoin us for one of two free screenings of Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and the NRA and discussions to learn about ways you can stand up against the power of the NRA. Louisville native and Brave New Films Campaign Organizer, Elizabeth Sawyer, will answer questions about the film.

Wednesday, May 18 5:30-8:00Louisville Urban League1535 West BroadwayLouisville Urban League at (502) 585-4622

​Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and the NRA tells the personal stories from people across the country who have been affected by gun violence, including survivors and victims' families. The film exposes how the powerful gun companies and the NRA are resisting responsible legislation for the sake of profit. The film looks into gun tragedies that include unintentional shootings, domestic violence, suicides, mass shootings and trafficking - and what we can do to put an end to this public-health crisis. Join us and learn what you can do to fight for a country where public safety is more valued than profit.

MORE FILMS:May 9-10A Two Night Special Event - ARMED in America Starts Monday, May 9 at 9:00 eastern on KET

A Presentation by PBS and Independent Lens

On Monday, May 9, Independent Lens presents “Peace Officer,” a film about the increasingly tense relationship between law enforcement and the public through the eyes of a former sheriff who established his state’s first SWAT team only to see that same unit kill his son-in-law in a controversial standoff. Directly following the film, Michele Martin of NPR’s “All Things Considered” will lead a specialone-hour town hall discussion about the issues raised in the film. You can join the conversation using the hashtag: #PeaceOfficerPBS.

On Tuesday, May 10, Independent Lens presents “The Armor of Light,” a film about the moral and religious responses to gun violence, and how people can come together across deeply held beliefs to find common ground. NPR’s Michele Martin returns to lead a second town hall discussion directly after the film about the diverse points of view raised in the documentary. Join the conversation using the hashtag #ArmorofLightPBS.

The third session of the series will focus on painting banners/flags/ possibly shirts, etc….. This will be a great event for all ages and skill levels. It will be an opportunity for people who have participated in previous to session to step into leadership roles over the project and help those less experienced with painting. Workshop will have a discussion focusing on sharing stories and occupying public space through visual art. Watch this space for further details.

May 18-21Main Street - Melting Guns to PlowsharesThis activity and others are being planned to coincide with the Festival of Faiths http://festivaloffaiths.org and annual meeting in Louisville of the NRA.The artist is Mike Martin, founder and Executive Director of RAWtools, Inc., a nonprofit group that transforms weapons into hand tools. RAWtools’ work has been seen in the Huffington Post, New York Daily News, Red Letter Christians, Sojourners, Edible Vineyard, and others.​Mike will be working from 12pm-2pm and 4pm - 6pm Wednesday through Saturday, May 18-21. His work station will be on the Plaza in front of the American Life Building, 471 W. Main Street, Louisville. We need for 2-4 people for each time slot Wednesday-Saturday to interpret the work being done and to invite people to further action and connection. For more information or to donate a gun for the project, please contact Doug Lowry atsowersimpact@gmail.com with questions or sign up for slots to work HERE.http://tinyurl.com/gunsandplowshares

8:30 a.m. Strong walk, march, pilgrimage starting at Christ Church Cathedral 421 S 2nd S and ending at the Spalding event at 10 a.m.10:00 a.m.-Gathering for the event at Spalding, gun violence related quilts will be on display10:30a.m.- 10:50 Prayer Vigil 11:00 a.m. Screening the film Under The Gun Screening and panel discussion to follow. Event will conclude by 1:30 p.m. This year in Kentucky, supporters helped shut down the NRA's dangerous agenda. So how are we celebrating? On Saturday, May 21 -- the same weekend as the annual NRA convention -- Moms Demand Action will gather in Louisville for a special screening of the film, "Under the Gun," which explores the issue of gun violence in America.Moms has a limited FREE tickets available and we hope you will join us in celebrating our huge win over the gun lobby in Kentucky this year.Additional Details: Once you RSVP, an organizer will call you with the exact location and more details.

About the film: The massacre at Sandy Hook was seen as a watershed moment in our national gun debate, but the body count at the hands of gun violence has only grown. Through the lens of victims’ families, as well as pro-gun advocates, we examine why our politicians have failed to act. More at http://underthegunmovie.com

May 21Compassion Walk4:30 PM

Festival of Faiths Event, with support from Sowers of Justice. Compassion Walk which will close out the Festival on Saturday, May 21 at 4:30pm. We will be walking from Actors Theatre to the Riverfront Festival Plaza for the dissolution of a sand mandala and the forming of a human enso (the Festival's logo).

May 21Hands Across Louisville10 AM - 5 PMBe a part of the solution as we stand as a community to stamp out gun violence.